Star Art

Star watching has occupied humans from the earliest times. Our ancestors
studied the night sky and saw shapes and patterns among the stars. They
often made up stories to explain what they saw. The same star constellation
was seen very differently by people from different countries, or even different
parts of the same country. When looking at the constellation Capricornus, for
example, the ancient Aztecs saw Cipactli, the Whale. In India, Makaram, an
antelope, was seen in the same constellation. The Assyrians thought the
constellation looked more like a goat-fish while the ancient Greeks thought
it appeared to be a gate for the the Gods to pass through. Below you will find
a collection of constellation myths from different cultures as well as
pictures of the star patterns which inspired them. Read the myths, then
match each with the star picture you think it describes.
Once you have finished, check to see which culture(s) saw the same
constellations as you do.

1. A Shawnee Indian Myth

A group of young sisters happily danced in a circle in the sky. They were
seen from Earth by a brave and magical hunter named White Hawk who wished to
have one of them for his wife. White Hawk disguised himself as a field mouse,
went to the heavens, and crept close to the dancing sisters. He decided on the
youngest one whom he grabbed and took away. White Hawk was very kind to the
young girl and she quickly fell in love with him. Though she was happy with
her husband, the youngest sister still wished to dance in the sky with her
sisters. White Hawk gave her a magical white hawk's feather that allowed her
to travel in a silver basket between Earth and the sky. Viewers from Earth
always see a gap in the star circle. This is the place reserved for the
youngest sister; it can be filled only when she travels to the sky to join the
dance.

2. A Greek Myth

Cassiopeia, a queen of ancient Ethiopia, was a very beautiful woman.
Unfortunately, she was also very vain and spent much of her time bragging
about her beauty. She even boasted that she was far more beautiful than the
maidens who attended Poseidon, the god of the sea, in his underwater kingdom.
When Poseidon's maidens learned of this, they were very angry indeed. The
maidens demanded that Poseidon punish Cassiopeia for daring to compare herself
to them. Poseidon agreed that Cassiopeia should be punished. He placed her in
the heavens to be scorned, not honored. Cassiopeia swings every half night
around the North Star. She is seated in a chair, but the chair is placed
upside down. Cassiopeia must hang on with both hands to keep from falling
out. Her sky position is most humiliating for one who was so proud of her
beauty.

3. A Woodland Indian Myth

Late in the spring, a bear awakened from its long winter sleep and wandered
out of its hillside den in search of food. Soon three hunters spotted the bear
and began to chase it. Just like the bear, the hunters were hungry after the
long, cold winter. The first hunter carried a bow and arrow with which he hoped
to kill the bear. The second hunter carried a big pot in which he hoped to cook
the bear. The third hunter came behind the others. He was collecting wood for
the huge fire which would be needed to cook such a large meal. All summer the
hunters chased the bear through the sky. In the fall, the bear started to
get weak and the first hunter was able to shoot it with an arrow. The arrow
killed the bear and it fell over on its back. The hunters ate the bear and
left its skeleton behind. As fall turned to winter, the weather became colder
and colder. The bear's skeleton was still visible in the sky, but the life
spirit of the bear had entered a new body -- the body of another sleeping
bear. All through the long, cold winter the bear slept. When spring came
again, the bear awakened and went out in search of food. Once again it was
hunted and killed. Its life spirit entered the body of yet another sleeping
bear in the den. And so it happens every year.

4. An East Indian Myth

Long ago in India there were five princes who left their kingdom to search
for the kingdom of heaven. They took food and drink for their journey, and
Prince Yudistira brought his dog, Svana. Yudistira was the eldest. His
brothers were Sahadeva the all-wise, who was learned beyond all men; Nakula the
all-handsome, famed for his grace and beauty; Arjuna the all-powerful, who had
never been defeated in any contest of arms; and Bhima the all-joyful, known for
his good humor and love of pleasure. After many days' journey, the brothers
came to a fair where music was playing and people were feasting and dancing.
Bhima the all-joyful said to his brothers, "I will rest here today and
be happy and seek the kingdom of heaven tomorrow." Yudistira, his
brothers, and the dog Svana went on without him. Several days later, the
travelers arrived at a large plain where a great army was drawn up in
ranks facing the enemy. When Arjuna the all-powerful saw this, he said to his
brothers, "I will fight for my country today and seek the kingdom of
heaven tomorrow". Yudistira, his brothers, and the dog Svana continued
without him. Many days and nights passed. The travelers came to a magnificent
palace surrounded by a garden full of flowers and fountains. In this garden,
a beautiful princess was walking with her attendants. When she saw Nakula the
all-handsome, she was seized with love and longing. Nakula too was struck with
love. He said to his brothers, "I will stay with the princess today and
seek the kingdom of heaven tomorrow." Nakula went into the garden and
Yudistira, his brother Sahadeva, and the dog Svana continued without him. Many
weary days and nights later, the travelers came to a great temple where the holy
men lived. Sahadeva the all-wise desired to join them in prayer and study. He
told his brother Yudistira, " I will stay here today and seek the kingdom
of heaven tomorrow." Sahadeva went into the temple and Yudistira and
Svana continued without him. At last Yudistira reached Mount Meru, the
doorway to heaven. Indra, the Lord of Past and Present, appeared before him
and invited him to ascend. Yudistira bowed low and replied, "Very
willingly I will do so if I may bring my dog, Svana." "That may
not be," said Indra. "There is no place in heaven for dogs. Leave
him and enter into eternal happiness."

"I cannot do that," said Yudistira. "I do not wish for any
happiness for which I must leave so dear a companion."

"You traveled on without your four brothers," said Indra.
"Why will you not ascend to heaven without your dog?"

"My lord," replied Yudistira, "my brothers left me to follow
the desires of their hearts. Svana has given his heart to me. Rather than
renounce him, I must renounce heaven."

"You have spoken well," said Indra. "Come in, and bring
your dog with you." So Yudistira and Svana ascended into paradise. In
recognition of their devotion to one another Indra set in the sky the
constellation of the Great Dog whose star Sirius is the brightest of them
all.

Instructions

In the following pictures you will find the constellation that inspired
each of the previous myths. Look at the star groups carefully. Beside each
picture, you will find a space in which to enter the number of the
myth which you feel describes the constellation. After you have
made your choice, press the button to see how your imagination compares
with those of stargazers from other cultures.